Spark plug



April 30, 1946. J. soLlvERAs, JR

SPARK PLUG Filed June l5. 1944 @jse' Sol/eras, cfr.J

A lttofvvmgs Patented Apr. 30, 1946 UNITED l STAT lE11-s PATENT OFFICE li 2,399,299 i 'SPARK PLUG l J os Soliveras, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.AApplication June 15, 1944, SerialNo. 540,403

(Cl. 12S-169) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in sparkplugs, and has for one of its'important objects to provide; in a manneras hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to-be expeditiously taken apart for cleaning and reassembled.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a sparkplug of the aforementioned character which embodies a uniqueconstruction and arrangement whereby breaking of the insulating core ifaccidentally struck with a tool or if the plug is dropped, will beprevented.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spark plug of thecharacter described comprislng novel means for connecting a conductorwire thereto.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a spark plug ofthe character set forth wherein short circuiting by water, tools, etcetera, will be positively prevented.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a spark plug which will becomparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable in use,compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section through a spark plug constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section through the device, takensubstantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises ametallic shell I having an externally threaded, reduced lower endportion 2. Mounted on the lower end of the shell I is a negativeelectrode 3. The shell I further includes a polygonal upper portion 4constituting a head for receiving a wrench. The enlarged upper portionof the shell I is internally threaded, as at 5. Between the threadedportion 5 and the bore 6, la seat or shoulder 'I is provided in theshell I.

Removably mounted in the shell I is a core 8 of suitable insulatingmaterial. The core 8 comprises, on its upper end, a ball 9 from which anintegral ring III rises. The shoulder I supports the ball 9. A gasket IIis provided between the shoulder I and the ball 9.. A retaining nut I2for the core 8 is threaded into the portion 5 of the shell I forengagement on the ball 9, said nut encircling the ring I0. A gasket 'I3is provided between the nut 12 and the ball 9.

Extending centrally through the core 6 is a positive electrode I l. Thepositive Yelectrode Il pro jects upwardly into the ring Il) andterminates in a ball head I5.

A conductor wire connected to the plug is indicated at I6. A terminal I1connects the conductor wire I6 to the plug. The terminal I1 comprises ametallic ferrule I8 on one end portion of the conductor wire I6. Fixedin the ferrule I8 is a metallic disc I9 having an aperture therein inwhich the wire 20 of the conductor I6 is anchored. This anchored endportion of the wire 20 is engageable with the ball head I5. The portionof the ferrule I8 which projects below the disc I9 is split and formedto provide inwardly and upwardly turned jaws 2| which are engageablebeneath the ball head I5 for detachably connecting the conductor I6 tothe plug. A shield in the form of a live rubber collar 22 is mounted onthe ferrule I8 and engageable on the top of the nut I2 and the ring I0for preventing the entrance of water, dirt, grease, et cetera.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing. Brieiiy, electric current fromthe wire 20 flows through the positive electrode I4 and jumps to thenegative electrode 3 and is grounded on the engine through the shell I.To disassemble the plug for cleaning or other purposes, it is onlynecessary to unscrew the nut I2 to permit removal of the lcore 8 fromthe shell I. The resilient jaws 2| are engaged under tension beneath theball head I5 in a manner to pull the anchored end portion of the wire 2Udown tightly against said ball head. To disconnect the conductor wire I6 it is only necessary to pull upwardly thereon with suliicient force tocause the resilient jaws 2I to open and pass the ball head I5.

It is believed that the many advantages of a spark plug constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A spark plug comprising a shell including an internal shoulder, acore of insulating material removably mounted in the shell and includingan integral ball resting on the shoulder, an integral ring rising fromthe ball, a nut threadedly connected to the shell and engaged with theball 'for securing the core in said shell, an electrode in the coreincluding a ball head on one end projecting into the ring, and means fordetachably connecting a conductor wire to the electrode, said meansincluding a terminal comprising a ferrule mounted on the conductor wire,one end portion of said ferrule being longitudinally split, and inturnedhooks on said one end portion of the ferrule engageable beneath the ballhead for anchoring the conductor wire in the ring.

2. A spark plug comprising, in combination, a metallic shell, a core ofinsulating material mounted in the shell, said core including anintegral ring on one end, a positive electrode mounted in the core andincluding a ball head on one end projecting into the ring, an insulatedconductor wire, a ferrule on one end portion of the conductor wireengageable in the ring, an apertured disc fixed in the ferrule, the wireof the conductor being anchored in said disc, one end portion of theferrule being longitudinally split, and inturned jaws on said one end ofthe ferrule engageable beneath the ball head for releasably connectingthe conductor Wire to the electrode with the wire of said conductor incontact with said ball head.

3. A spark plug comprising a shell including an internal shoulder, acore of insulating material removably mounted in the shell and includingan integral ball portion resting on the shoulder, an integralcylindrical ring rising axially from the outer end portion of the ballportion, a nut threadedly connected to the shell and engaged indirectlywith the ball portion for securing the core in said shell with opposedgaskets between the ball portion and said shoulder and said nut, anelectrode secured in the core and having an end portion projecting intothe core ring, means for detachably connecting a conductor wire to theelectrode, said means comprising a cylindrical ferrule securedelectrically to the end portion of said conductor wire and enterable insaid lcore ring and having provision at its inner end for detachableholding engagement with said projecting end portion of said electrode,and a resilient rubber-like collar secured in cooperative position onsaid ferrule, whereby, when said feriule is engaged with said projectedend portion of said electrode, the collar is in covering and sealingContact with the outer end of the spark plug.

JOS soLIVERAs, Jn.

